WATCH: MP tells House of Commons government has betrayed constituents

Local MP Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham Selly Oak) today blasted the Education Secretary in the House of Commons over her refusal to meet to discuss the future of Baverstock Academy.

The future of Baverstock was first plunged into doubt in June last year, but the Department for Education assured the local MP that a sponsor would be found to rescue the secondary school. However, the Department for Education restarted their consultation into closure in January this year. The consultation ends tomorrow.

Speaking at Education Questions in the House of Commons, Steve McCabe MP said:

“In terms of disadvantage, the government’s about to close Baverstock School in my constituency. They won’t say what that costs, where the pupils will go, they won’t explain the inaccurate travel and future demand data and the Secretary of State won’t even respond to my request for a meeting. Although I’m told she’s got time for a photo opportunity elsewhere in Birmingham where she won’t be meeting Baverstock parents.

Are you at all surprised Mr Speaker, that when it comes to disadvantage my constituents have one word for government education policy and that’s betrayal?”

The Secretary of State ducked the question and instead Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson MP responded to the Selly Oak MP but had nothing new to add.